Human pathogens (e.g. bacteria, fungi and viruses) can survive on high-traffic surfaces and textiles for hours or even days, increasing the risk of infection spreading. Conventional cleaning and hygiene measures often have no lasting effect, and contamination can re-occur almost immediately. The recent pandemic demonstrated how quickly and widespread a microorganism can cause significant healthcare implications and harm to society. Therefore, there is a need to consider how exposure to these microorganisms in the built environment, indoor settings and particularly in the UK transport network could be controlled.
With this purpose in mind, Manchester Metropolitan University and Queen's University Belfast are pleased to announce the launch of the BEST (Bioactive Effective Surfaces for Transport) Network and are recruiting participants.
The network aims to be a multidisciplinary community of UK scientists, engineers, technologists, industrialists, investors and regulators. We'll collaborate and contribute to the manufacture, design, testing and deployment of antimicrobial materials for mass transport, strengthening hygiene strategies with effective, evidence-based antimicrobial surface treatments and materials.
Participants and funding
The network will be led by myself and Prof Dimitrios A. Lamprou (Queen's University Belfast), funded for 3 years by the EPSRC.
A core Steering Group has been formed, with representatives from the transport sector, academia and industry and we are encouraging participants from any discipline, with an interest in progressing the future of antimicrobial coatings for mass transport to join this new and exciting network.
Format
The network format will be facilitated through a mixture of online and in person meetings; 3 or 4 over the duration of the 3-year project, with the first kick-off meeting online early in 2025. There will be more regular steering group meetings and industry sub-forums, with updates from these being shared with the network.
Measures of success
The measures of success are expected to include research collaborations, grant applications, efforts towards standardised testing practices, industry publications, policy changes, working practice changes and ultimately protection against the human and economic costs of infections and future pandemics.
How to get involved
Register for the network via the following Microsoft form (https://forms.office.com/e/kS2vQy4881), to be included in future communications and to tell us what you'd like to gain from participation.
Please do share this information with your contacts, from any sector, who might be interested. We are keen to have as much participation as possible and to include a diverse range of participants in the network and so encourage involvement from under-represented groups.
